Tonga is the first country in the Pacific to implement phase two of the project for Promotion of regional initiative on solid waste management funded by JICA Japanese International Cooperation Agency.

The first meting for the commencement of this phase was conducted by JICA last with in collaboration with Waste Authority Limited, MEIDECC office as well as the ministry of Health.

The CEO for MEIDECC, Paula Ma’u chaired the meeting with a special welcome by the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni .

Participating at the meeting was the Chief Advisor of the project, Mr Junji Ishizuka and JICA Tonga Resident Representative Shinji Yoshiura.

CEOs from related ministries and organisations also participated.

Tonga’s main activities focus on building the foundation for outer islands sustainable solid waste management, with emphasis on practical implementation.

This include the developing of Waste authority’s 5 year business plan for expanding to outer islands; strengthen their capacity as well as incorporate of action plan for target islands into the business plan.

Tonga is one of the successful countries on implementing the phase 1 of the project.

The regional program is targeting 9 pacific countries with an overall goal of a sustainable management of solid waste in the region is enhanced based on cleaner pacific 2025.